Muhammed Zafar Iqbal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal on a picnic day in 2001 with his students.
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal on a picnic day in 2001 with his students.

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal (Bangla: মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল) (born December 23, 1952) is a Bangladeshi academian, scientist, writer of children’s books and science-fiction and columnist. He is a professor of Computer Science at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Iqbal is a science fiction writer in the Bangla language. He was elected as one of the best ten living Bangali.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Family

Jafar Iqbal with his wife, Yasmin Haq
Jafar Iqbal with his wife, Yasmin Haq

His father, a police officer, Foyzur Rahman was murdered by the Pakistani army during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Elder brother Humayun Ahmed is the living legend, most popular writer of Bangla Language. Younger brother Ahsan Habib (Cartoonist) is the editor of `Unmad' and a cartoonist as well as popular writer. Wife, Dr. Yasmeen Haque, a scientist, teaching in the dept. of Physics, Shah jalal University of Science and Technology(SUST). His son is Nabil and daughter Yeshim who translated a book written by her father.

[edit] Childhood

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was born in Sylhet. His childhood was spent in Sylhet, Jagdal, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Bandarban, Chittagong, Bogra, Comilla and Pirojpur.

[edit] Life and career

Iqbal studied Physics at the University of Dhaka and graduated in 1975. He obtained his PhD from the University of Washington in 1982. He had a distinguished career at Caltech and then worked for the Bell Labs in New Jersey.

[edit] Literature

Zafar Iqbal started writing since his college days and became very popular with his teen-adventure novels, a rarity in Bangla literature in the late 1970s. His writing career was interrupted when he came to study and work in the USA. While abroad, his first two science fiction books came out, meeting great critical and popular acclaim. He returned to Bangladesh in early 1990s, leaving his successful career in the US, and joined a Shahjalal University of Science and Technology to teach Physics and Computer Science. After his return, he took up the causes of promoting science to young children, building a first-rate science education program at the university, and promoting freedom of thought. His latter cause and his opposition to the religious fundamentalism put him in direct conflict with the religious fanatics.

Although he writes fiction and non-fiction for grown-ups, he is at his creative best with his novels for adolescents. The young people in his novels are everyday boys and girls, seek and find adventure in their otherwise unremarkable and modest lives. They go through tough times with wonderful sense of optimism and wide eyed curiosity. A couple of his novels have been made into motion pictures.

[edit] Columns

Iqbal writes a regular column in the popular Daily Prothom Alo called Sadha-Sidhe Kotha (Simple Talk). He has written numerous columns apart from this regular one as well.

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal is reviewing the answer scripts of an exam on a rainy day in front of his office (2006).
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal is reviewing the answer scripts of an exam on a rainy day in front of his office (2006).

[edit] Science and mathematics

Iqbal, together with Mohammad Kaykobad, started the Mathematics Festival in Bangladesh, probably the first attempt to popularize recreational (and serious) mathematics in Bangladesh. This led to Bangladesh attending the International Mathematical Olympiad for the first time in 2005.

[edit] Threats on Him

In an open public meeting, Iqbal was threatened by the fundamentalists though he never took a position against religion as Taslima Nasrin or Humayun Azad did. Even minor bombing has occurred. He has been threated by the members of "Bangladesh Islami Chatroshibir" in august 2006 at his University Campus.

[edit] Literary Works

[edit] Science Fiction

Autograph hunting; Muhammed Zafar Iqbal in Bangla Academy's Ekushey Boi Mela. (2007).
Autograph hunting; Muhammed Zafar Iqbal in Bangla Academy's Ekushey Boi Mela. (2007).
  • Kopotronik Sukh-Dukkho (Copotronic Joy and Sorrow) (1976)
  • Omikronik Rupantor (Omicronic metamorphosis)
  • System Ediphas
  • Obonil (Infra-Blue) (2004)
  • Crugo
  • Triton Ekti Groher Nam (Triton, the Name of a Planet)
  • Ekjon Otimanobi (A Superlady)
  • Noy Noy Sunno Tin (Nine Nine Zero Three)
  • Cromium Oronno (The Cromium Forest}
  • Metsys (1999)
  • Nishongo Grohochari (The Lone Planatery Traveler)
  • Jolojo (Born in Water) (2000)
  • Robonogori (Robocity)
  • Eron
  • Project Nebula (2001)
  • Fobeaner Jatri (The Traveller of Fobean)
  • Ruhan Ruhan (2006)
  • Nayeera
  • Pri (1997)
  • Saira Scientist (Saira, The Scientist)
  • Biggani Sofdor Alir Moha Moha Abiskar (The Great Inventions of Sofdor Ali, the Scientist) (1992)
  • Dekha Alo, Na dekha Rup (1986)
  • Mohakashe Moha Tras
  • Sahnaz O Captain Dablu
  • Phoenix (2003)
  • Tratuler Jagat (2002)
  • Trinitry Rashimala (1995)
  • Tuki O Jhayer (Pray) Dusshahoshik Obhijan
  • Jara Biobot (1993)
  • Onuron Golok (1996)
  • Amra O Crab Nebula (2000)

[edit] Children's Adventures

  • Dipu Number Two
  • Raju O Agunalir Voot
  • Bokulappu
  • Bachcha Voyonkor Kachcha Voyonkor
  • Bubuner Baba (Bubun's Father)
  • Nitu O Taar Bondhura (Nitu and Her Friends)
  • Schooler Naam Pothochari
  • Jarul Chowdhurir Manikjorr
  • Hatkata Robin
  • Dushto Cheler Dol (Bad Boys Gang)
  • Amar Bondhu Rashed (Rashed My Friend)
  • Ami Topu (I am Topu)
  • Schooler Nam Pothochari (The Name Of The School Was Pothochari)
  • Litu Brittanto (Story of Litu)
  • Dosshi Kojon (Little Pirates)
  • T-Rexer Sondhane (In Search of T-Rex)
  • Chelemanushi (Childish)
  • Akas Bariye Dao (Spread the Sky)

[edit] Math & Science

  • Neurone Onuronon (Jointly with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2002)
  • Neurone Onuronon 2 (Jointly with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2003)
  • Gonit Abong Aro Gonit (Jointly with Jakariya Swapan)
  • Bigganer Ekso Mojar Khela (100 Interesting Games of Science)

[edit] Other Works

  • Pret
  • Tomader Prosno Amar Uttor
  • Beesh Bochor Pore (As an editor)
  • Chander Aloi Koyekjon Jubok
  • 2030 Saler Ekdin O Onnano
  • Dusuopner Ditio Prohor
  • Muhabbat Alir Ekdin
  • Chhayaleen
  • Aktukhani Biggan(february 2007)

[edit] Filmography

  • Dipu Number 2

Moreover, many novels and stories are convdrted into plays and TV serials and even animated movies.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../m/u/h/Muhammed_Zafar_Iqbal_42b4.html"
In other languages